The government takes all necessary action to ensure that there is no exploitation of Turkish Cypriot property in the southern government controlled part of the country, Interior Minister Christos Patsalides said here today.
He also said that decisions on Turkish Cypriot properties are taken by the Guardian of Turkish Cypriot properties, following careful consideration of the parameters of any given situation.
The Minister’s comments come in the wake of press reports that the state has paid out millions of pounds to Turkish Cypriots in compensation for their land on which refugee estates have been built to house Greek Cypriot refugees, who fled their homes as the Turkish invasion troops advanced in the summer of 1974.
“Before any decision is taken about any sale or purchase of Turkish Cypriot property, we examine very carefully reports and other information at hand in order to ensure the rights of the Turkish Cypriots and see to it that there is no exploitation with regard to the property concerned,†the Minister said, replying to press questions.
He said he has already asked for an investigation into press allegations that the Land Registry may be involved into such deals relating to Turkish Cypriot land.
Since the 1974 Turkish invasion, the government has entrusted the management of Turkish Cypriot property to the Guardian of Turkish Cypriot properties.
Patsalides assured Greek Cypriot refugees who are now using Turkish Cypriot land that the Guardian will take any final decision on the future of this arrangement after scrutinising the details of each separate case.
The Minister reiterated that a self-styled property compensation commission, set up in Turkish occupied Cyprus, has no legal status and pointed out that it is unlawful to apply to this commission seeking damages for Greek Cypriot property in the northern occupied part of the island.
Speaking on the same matter, Government Spokesman explained that when a property deal is over 200.000 Cyprus pounds, then it is also referred to the Cabinet for the final decision.
The European Court of Human Rights has ruled on several cases brought before it by Greek Cypriot owners of property in occupied Cyprus that they remain the legitimate owners of such properties, said it considered Turkey responsible for what happens in the north of Cyprus by virtue of the massive presence of its troops and ordered Ankara to allow the Greek Cypriot owners access to their property and pay them compensation of thousands of pounds for loss of use of that property.
